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Good evening. I am considering purchasing a Toyota Dolphin for a cross country adventure. I will plan several local trips before beginning the adventure. I want the rear dinette model for better light, better seating, and less weight in the back. I know to check for leaks and to make sure the rear axle has been upgraded. I have found a 1983 Dolphin (107k mi) and a 1985 Dolphin (61k mi) both of which seem to be in good shape, both under $5k. What gotchas should I look for besides axle and leaks? What are the differences that ought to be considered? What are the most important upgrades that I'm likely to want? I've heard about LED lighting, a backup camera, and extra cooling what else? And if there is a different year that I should be looking for, please point me in the right direction! Thanks in advance for all or your help. cheers, Ellen

Hello! I am new to the forum. Anyone have any experience with the 1980 Dolphin model with the dead axle? I have been on the search for a new mh -- specifically a dolphin. I am aware of the recommendations to upgrade the rear axle from a 5 over to a 6 lug 1ton ff; and so I have been searching appropriately until I found a couple instances of this 1980 model with the dead (aka lazy) axle. I was considering changing tires would be facilitated without the dual tire axle. Not sure the axle situation with this model, I have only seen photos and none up close. Recommendations? Cheers and thanks!

On my 1991 Dolphin the panel over the cab (frontmost part of the side panel) is peeling away. Anybody have experience on repairing this? What is the ideal fix? Thanks in advance!

I demolished my 1985 2wd 22re toyota dolphin. I am turning it into a flatbed pickup. I am looking to put a new cab in since the current cab was a walk through. I understand it's an 85' so its a second generation. I am trying to gather as much information as I can before I continue this project. I am hoping to find an extented cab to install if I can do so with little difficulty other than that associated with a cab swap. It sounds like the rear bolt mounts will not match and some new ones will have to be installed. Other than that will there be any other compatibility issues if I get a 2nd gen ext. cab? Will the current fenders fit if I get a cab that is 2nd gen cab of a different year? If I find a 2nd gen cab from a different year without door will my doors fit (say I get an 86' ext cab will my 85' standard cab doors fit)?

Ok my 92' dolphin 900 has the factory Generator and I was told it "used to run but won't" so I haven't even bothered trying it knowing it needs at least fresh oil and a new plug. So, if you've dealt with a 20 year old generator that's sat unused for a couple years at least, can you give me a primer on what other items I might want to look at? Carb rebuild? Etc. Thanks in advance!

Hello & thank you for looking at my post. I'll cut right to the chase: Without knowing much about it, should I jump at the chance to buy a running 1987 Toyota Dolphin MH for only $3400??? I have been looking for a small Toyota MH for quite some time & I see many being offered for sale b/w $10-12K. Granted most if not all of the campers in this range claim to have had many 'upgrades'/parts replaced, but at only $3400 that would give me quite a bit of wiggle-room for any repairs that need to be done. Here's what little I know. The 87 Dolpin has ~84K miles on the fuel-injected 22RE engine, with AT. It has been advertised for at least a couple weeks & now the price has dropped from $4300 to $3400. I went to see this in person but it was hard to get a lot of information, as the seller is Russian & his daughter was trying to translate. They told me the fridge doesn't work & that they don't know about the roof ac because they never used it (they've had the camper for less than a year I think). She said it does NOT have a generator & that they used their own generator, though while inside I saw a "Generator" indicator/switch, so that should mean it's wired to have an external generator I would think. I also noticed that part of the wallpaper in the upper bed area was coming off which could possibly indicate a roof leak problem, and the stereo & speakers had been removed. So again, I'm hoping that I can get advice from experienced ToyMH owners & mechanics whether $3400 is a price I should jump at, not knowing exactly what repairs may be in store. I mean even if the engine needed a little work, roof needed re-sealing, fridge & roof a/c needed repair/replacement, & I need to have a generator installed, wouldn't I still be coming in at well under the $10K mark that many of these campers are selling at? Thoughts? Again, thank you for your time reading & hopefully giving your input to my post. Cheers & Happy Holidays! Todd

tell me everything you know about 78 toyota dolphins Ok so I've been reading through the forum and I've learned a lot, some great information. I hate crashing forums for answers but if any of you take the time to help me out it will be much appreciated. I've found a 78 dolphin with 74K and asking price of 1500. I've read about particle board water damage but how that doesn't apply to some model years. I've also read about 5 vs 6 lug rear axles, and something about a recall on the head gasket I believe. I'm fairly skilled mechanical wise and first thing I'd do if I bought it would be to replace all the suspension, new plugs wires rotor and boot, check and replace the cv axles if needed run full synthetic in the transmission and rear differential, do the fuel filter, air filter, oil, and radiator flush, possibly new radiator depending on the look of the old one. So mechanically I'm not super concerned but I'm oblivious to what I need to look for in a 30+ year old camper other then the plumbing, fridge, stove electrical all work but that's about it. I have a connection with a rino lining company would rino lining the roof solve any leak problems? What kind of price am I looking at in doing a 5 lug to 6 lug conversion? any answers would be awesome thanks in advance